The Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off on December 21 with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros that evening. Players representing their home countries are set to leave on December 15 to prepare for the tournament.
For Everton, this means losing key figures in winger Iliman Ndiaye and midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, both of whom will represent Senegal in the competition. The pair could miss up to seven matches after Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge, with the final for AFCON taking place on January 18, the same day Everton travel to Aston Villa.
But the Toffees aren't the only club who'll miss players during that stretch, with most Premier League clubs set to lose their African teammates during the run.
Let's take a look at who Everton play during that period, and which players have either been confirmed to be missing or could be called up for AFCON.
Home to Arsenal, December 20
The current league leaders are made up entirely of European and South American players, so they'll avoid any issues with AFCON.
Away to Burnley, December 27
Forward Lyle Foster has already received the call from South Africa, as has defender Axel Tuanzebe. Foster has started 10 of the 12 matches he's played in, scoring twice for a Burnley side that has struggled to score goals.
Midfielder Hannibal Majbri could be part of the Tunisian side, but they have yet to announce their roster as of this writing.
Away to Nottingham Forest, December 30
Depth will be tested with a quick turnaround, but Sean Dyche's Forest side will be without midfielder Ibrahim Sangare and defender Willy Boly, both of whom will play for the Ivory Coast, although the latter has yet to feature for Forest this season.
Sangare will be a big miss, however, as he's been a major cog for the team as a defensive-minded midfielder.
Nigeria has yet to name its team, but defender Ola Aina and forward Taiwo Awoniyi could be called up, although neither has been a major part of Forest's squad this year.
Home to Brentford, January 4
The Bees will lose forward Dango Ouattara to Burkina Fasso for AFCON, who is tied for second on the club with three goals on the season.
They could also be without Frank Onyeka, a midfielder who has only played 92 minutes this season.
Home to Wolves, January 7
The worst team in the Premier League by points so far this year could also be among the clubs missing the most players during AFCON.
The only confirmed loss so far is defender Emmanuel Agbadou for Ivory Coast, although Zimbabwe and Nigeria have yet to name their rosters.
Attacking midfielders Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa could feature for the former, although Chirewa has just one club appearance this season, while forward Tolu Arokodare might see a call from Nigeria despite his limited minutes.
Defensive midfielder Jackson Tchatchoua will not be part of Cameroon's squad for the competition.
Home to Sunderland, January 10 (FA Cup Third Round)
Sunderland's squad may see the biggest hit yet for this run of fixtures.
The quartet of forward Bertrand Traore (Burkina Fasso), defender Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), midfielder Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), and defender Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique) are confirmed, with the hosts and Senegal have yet to announce their sides.
That could mean additional losses of midfielders Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco) and Habib Diarra (Senegal), although the latter has only played in four matches this year.
Missing out is Simon Adringa for the Ivory Coast.
Away to Aston Villa, January 18
This is the date of the AFCON final, so it may not matter either way. Still, Villa's only African player, Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, didn't get the call.